scholarly journals Cryo-EM structures of the Caspase activated protein XKR9 involved in apoptotic lipid scrambling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raimund Dutzler ◽  
Monique S. Straub ◽  
Carolina Alvadia ◽  
Marta Sawicka
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Hydrophobic Site ◽  
Membrane Spanning ◽  
Insight Into

The exposure of the negatively charged lipid phosphatidylserine on the cell-surface, catalyzed by lipid scramblases, is an important signal for the clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages. The protein XKR9 is a member of a conserved family that has been associated with apoptotic lipid scrambling. Here, we describe structures of full-length and caspase-treated XKR9 in complex with a synthetic nanobody determined by cryo-electron microscopy. The 43 kDa monomeric membrane protein contains eight membrane-spanning helices, two segments that are partly inserted into the lipid bilayer and is organized as two structurally related repeats. In the full-length protein, the C-terminus interacts with a hydrophobic site located at the intracellular side acting as an inhibitor of protein function. Cleavage by caspase-3 at a specific site releases 16 residues of the C-terminus thus making the binding site accessible to the cytoplasm. Collectively, the work has revealed the unknown architecture of the XKR family and has provided initial insight into its activation by caspases.

scholarly journals Cryo-EM structures of the caspase activated protein XKR9 involved in apoptotic lipid scrambling

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique S Straub ◽  
Carolina Alvadia ◽  
Marta Sawicka ◽  
Raimund Dutzler
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Hydrophobic Pocket ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Membrane Spanning ◽  
Insight Into

The exposure of the negatively charged lipid phosphatidylserine on the cell-surface, catalyzed by lipid scramblases, is an important signal for the clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages. The protein XKR9 is a member of a conserved family that has been associated with apoptotic lipid scrambling. Here, we describe structures of full-length and caspase-treated XKR9 from Rattus norvegicus in complex with a synthetic nanobody determined by cryo-electron microscopy. The 43 kDa monomeric membrane protein can be divided into two structurally related repeats, each containing four membrane-spanning segments and a helix that is partly inserted into the lipid bilayer. In the full-length protein, the C-terminus interacts with a hydrophobic pocket located at the intracellular side acting as an inhibitor of protein function. Cleavage by caspase-3 at a specific site releases 16 residues of the C-terminus thus making the pocket accessible to the cytoplasm. Collectively, the work has revealed the unknown architecture of the XKR family and has provided initial insight into its activation by caspases.

scholarly journals The U4 Antibody Epitope on Human Papillomavirus 16 Identified by Cryo-electron Microscopy

2015 ◽  
Vol 89 (23) ◽  
pp. 12108-12117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Guan ◽  
Stephanie M. Bywaters ◽  
Sarah A. Brendle ◽  
Hyunwook Lee ◽  
Robert E. Ashley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Contact Point ◽  
Human Papillomavirus 16 ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
L1 Protein

ABSTRACTThe human papillomavirus (HPV) major structural protein L1 composes capsomers that are linked together through interactions mediated by the L1 C terminus to constitute a T=7 icosahedral capsid. H16.U4 is a type-specific monoclonal antibody recognizing a conformation-dependent neutralizing epitope of HPV thought to include the L1 protein C terminus. The structure of human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) complexed with H16.U4 fragments of antibody (Fab) was solved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) image reconstruction. Atomic structures of virus and Fab were fitted into the corresponding cryo-EM densities to identify the antigenic epitope. The antibody footprint mapped predominately to the L1 C-terminal arm with an additional contact point on the side of the capsomer. This footprint describes an epitope that is presented capsid-wide. However, although the H16.U4 epitope suggests the presence of 360 potential binding sites exposed in the capsid valley between each capsomer, H16.U4 Fab bound only to epitopes located around the icosahedral five-fold vertex of the capsid. Thus, the binding characteristics of H16.U4 defined in this study showed a distinctive selectivity for local conformation-dependent interactions with specific L1 invading arms between five-fold related capsomers.IMPORTANCEHuman papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) is the most prevalent oncogenic genotype in HPV-associated anogenital and oral cancers. Here we use cryo-EM reconstruction techniques to solve the structures of the HPV16 capsid complexes using H16.U4 fragment of antibody (Fab). Different from most other antibodies directed against surface loops, H16.U4 monoclonal antibody is unique in targeting the C-terminal arm of the L1 protein. This monoclonal antibody (MAb) is used throughout the HPV research community in HPV serological and vaccine development and to define mechanisms of HPV uptake. The unique binding mode of H16.U4 defined here shows important conformation-dependent interactions within the HPV16 capsid. By targeting an important structural and conformational epitope, H16.U4 may identify subtle conformational changes in different maturation stages of the HPV capsid and provide a key probe to analyze the mechanisms of HPV uptake during the early stages of virus infection. Our analyses precisely define important conformational epitopes on HPV16 capsids that are key targets for successful HPV prophylactic vaccines.

Cryo-EM structure of the human cohesin-NIPBL-DNA complex

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 368 (6498) ◽  
pp. 1454-1459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhubing Shi ◽  
Haishan Gao ◽  
Xiao-chen Bai ◽  
Hongtao Yu
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Base Pair ◽  
Adenosine Triphosphatase ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Synergistic Activation ◽  
Medium Resolution ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Dna Complex ◽  
Insight Into

As a ring-shaped adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) machine, cohesin organizes the eukaryotic genome by extruding DNA loops and mediates sister chromatid cohesion by topologically entrapping DNA. How cohesin executes these fundamental DNA transactions is not understood. Using cryo–electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we determined the structure of human cohesin bound to its loader NIPBL and DNA at medium resolution. Cohesin and NIPBL interact extensively and together form a central tunnel to entrap a 72–base pair DNA. NIPBL and DNA promote the engagement of cohesin’s ATPase head domains and ATP binding. The hinge domains of cohesin adopt an “open washer” conformation and dock onto the STAG1 subunit. Our structure explains the synergistic activation of cohesin by NIPBL and DNA and provides insight into DNA entrapment by cohesin.

scholarly journals Opportunities and challenges for assigning cofactors in cryo-EM density maps of chlorophyll-containing proteins

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Gisriel ◽  
Jimin Wang ◽  
Gary W. Brudvig ◽  
Donald A. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Electrostatic Potential ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Chemical Environment ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Functional Differences ◽  
Density Maps ◽  
Structural Differences

AbstractThe accurate assignment of cofactors in cryo-electron microscopy maps is crucial in determining protein function. This is particularly true for chlorophylls (Chls), for which small structural differences lead to important functional differences. Recent cryo-electron microscopy structures of Chl-containing protein complexes exemplify the difficulties in distinguishing Chl b and Chl f from Chl a. We use these structures as examples to discuss general issues arising from local resolution differences, properties of electrostatic potential maps, and the chemical environment which must be considered to make accurate assignments. We offer suggestions for how to improve the reliability of such assignments.

Domain topology of human Rasal

2017 ◽  
Vol 399 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Cuellar ◽  
José María Valpuesta ◽  
Alfred Wittinghofer ◽  
Begoña Sot
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Gtpase Activating Protein ◽  
Ras Gtpase ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Domain Protein ◽  
Negative Staining Electron Microscopy ◽  
Resolution Structure

AbstractRasal is a modular multi-domain protein of the GTPase-activating protein 1 (GAP1) family; its four known members, GAP1m, Rasal, GAP1IP4BPand Capri, have a Ras GTPase-activating domain (RasGAP). This domain supports the intrinsically slow GTPase activity of Ras by actively participating in the catalytic reaction. In the case of Rasal, GAP1IP4BPand Capri, their remaining domains are responsible for converting the RasGAP domains into dual Ras- and Rap-GAPs, via an incompletely understood mechanism. Although Rap proteins are small GTPase homologues of Ras, their catalytic residues are distinct, which reinforces the importance of determining the structure of full-length GAP1 family proteins. To date, these proteins have not been crystallized, and their size is not adequate for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or for high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM). Here we present the low resolution structure of full-length Rasal, obtained by negative staining electron microscopy, which allows us to propose a model of its domain topology. These results help to understand the role of the different domains in controlling the dual GAP activity of GAP1 family proteins.

scholarly journals FAP-1 Association with Fas (Apo-1) Inhibits Fas Expression on the Cell Surface

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 3623-3635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir N. Ivanov ◽  
Pablo Lopez Bergami ◽  
Gabriel Maulit ◽  
Taka-Aki Sato ◽  
David Sassoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Fas Ligand ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Intracellular Pool ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Interfering Rna ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Advanced Tumors

ABSTRACT As revealed by intracellular pools of nonactive Fas (Apo-1), export of Fas to the cell surface is often impaired in human tumors, thereby inactivating Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that association with Fas-associated phosphatase 1 (FAP-1) attenuates Fas export to the cell surface. Forced expression of FAP-1 reduces cell surface Fas levels and increases the intracellular pool of Fas within the cytoskeleton network. Conversely, expression of dominant-negative forms of FAP-1, or inhibition of FAP-1 expression by short interfering RNA, efficiently up-regulates surface expression of Fas. Inhibition of Fas surface expression by FAP-1 depends on its association with the C terminus of Fas. Mutation within amino acid 275 results in decreased association with FAP-1 and greater export of Fas to the cell surface in melanomas, normal fibroblasts, or Fas null cells. Identifying the role of FAP-1 in binding to, and consequently inhibition of, Fas export to the cell surface provides novel insight into the mechanism underlying the regulation of Fas trafficking, which is commonly impaired in advanced tumors with FAP-1 overexpression.

scholarly journals The Combination of X-Ray Crystallography and Cryo-Electron Microscopy Provides Insight into the Overall Architecture of the Dodecameric Rvb1/Rvb2 Complex

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e0146457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noella Silva-Martin ◽  
María I. Daudén ◽  
Sebastian Glatt ◽  
Niklas A. Hoffmann ◽  
Panagiotis Kastritis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Insight Into

scholarly journals Cryo-Electron Microscopy of Arabidopsis thaliana Phytochrome A in Its Pr State Reveals Head-to-Head Homodimeric Architecture

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weixiao Yuan Wahlgren ◽  
David Golonka ◽  
Sebastian Westenhoff ◽  
Andreas Möglich
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Signal Propagation ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Particle Analysis ◽  
Phytochrome A ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Bacterial Phytochromes

Phytochrome photoreceptors regulate vital adaptations of plant development, growth, and physiology depending on the ratio of red and far-red light. The light-triggered Z/E isomerization of a covalently bound bilin chromophore underlies phytochrome photoconversion between the red-absorbing Pr and far-red-absorbing Pfr states. Compared to bacterial phytochromes, the molecular mechanisms of signal propagation to the C-terminal module and its regulation are little understood in plant phytochromes, not least owing to a dearth of structural information. To address this deficit, we studied the Arabidopsis thaliana phytochrome A (AtphyA) at full length by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Following heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, we optimized the solvent conditions to overcome protein aggregation and thus obtained photochemically active, near-homogenous AtphyA. We prepared grids for cryo-EM analysis of AtphyA in its Pr state and conducted single-particle analysis. The resulting two-dimensional class averages and the three-dimensional electron density map at 17 Å showed a homodimeric head-to-head assembly of AtphyA. Docking of domain structures into the electron density revealed a separation of the AtphyA homodimer at the junction of its photosensor and effector modules, as reflected in a large void in the middle of map. The overall architecture of AtphyA resembled that of bacterial phytochromes, thus hinting at commonalities in signal transduction and mechanism between these receptors. Our work paves the way toward future studies of the structure, light response, and interactions of full-length phytochromes by cryo-EM.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document